In a moment destined for the history books—or at least viral memes—President Joe Biden concluded his farewell address to the nation last night with an unintentional twist: he appeared to forget he was leaving office entirely.
A Speech Full of Biden-isms
The address began with heartfelt gratitude and Biden’s trademark anecdotes. “Folks, it’s been a ride,” he said, recounting stories about growing up in Scranton, riding Amtrak, and the time he challenged a cornfield to a push-up contest (no one is quite sure where this one came from).
He reflected on his presidency’s challenges and achievements, including handling a pandemic, managing inflation, and navigating bipartisan gridlock. At times emotional, he thanked his cabinet, his staff, and, of course, his beloved ice cream, calling it “a trusted companion during the hardest days.”
The Surprising Conclusion
As Biden’s speech wound down, viewers braced for his final words as president, expecting a poignant and reflective ending. Instead, the president leaned into the microphone, smiled warmly, and said, “Well, folks, I’ll see you next week!”
The audience sat in stunned silence as Jill Biden quickly approached, gently guiding him away from the podium. “Joe, honey,” she was overheard saying with a nervous chuckle, “we talked about this. Remember?”
Biden, ever the optimist, replied, “I know, I know—just kidding! But really, see you next week, right?”
Public and Political Reactions
Social media erupted instantly, with hashtags like #SeeYouNextWeekJoe and #ClassicBiden trending within minutes.
Supporters found the moment endearing. “Honestly, this is peak Joe. Never change,” one user tweeted. Others saw it as a final example of his relatability. “He’s just like my grandpa—except my grandpa isn’t in charge of the nuclear codes,” joked another.
Critics, predictably, seized the moment for political jabs. “At least he didn’t forget where he left the economy,” one commentator quipped, while another declared, “This is why we need term limits… and teleprompter backups.”
The Aftermath
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held an emergency briefing to address the moment, assuring reporters that Biden was fully aware of his impending departure. “The president was making a lighthearted joke,” she said. “He’s deeply committed to ensuring a smooth transition and, uh, knows what day it is.”
Jill Biden later released a statement emphasizing the importance of humor in difficult times. “Joe’s a people person, and people forget things sometimes,” it read.
What’s Next?
As Biden enjoys his final days in office, sources close to the president say he’s looking forward to a quieter life filled with family, books, and long bike rides. Rumors of a post-presidential podcast titled Joe’s Corner have yet to be confirmed, though insiders suggest its format will involve lengthy, meandering stories with occasional policy takes.
For now, one thing is certain: even in his farewell, Biden stayed true to form—unexpected, unscripted, and undeniably Joe.
